The Persuasive Essay (How To)

1. What is a Persuasive Essay? It presents information to sway, persuade, or convince the reader It presents information to sway, persuade, or convince the reader It is a form of argument (argumentative) It is a form of argument (argumentative)

2. Why Do I Need to Know How to Write a Persuasive Essay? Have you ever been in an argument? Have you ever been in an argument? Do you like to express your opinion? (Don’t any of you dare lie and say no!) Do you like to express your opinion? (Don’t any of you dare lie and say no!) Do you like for others to agree and share your opinion? Do you like for others to agree and share your opinion?

2. Why Do I Need to Know How to Write a Persuasive Essay? I said you have to know! I said you have to know! Purnell Swett says you have to know. Purnell Swett says you have to know. The State of North Carolina says you have to know. The State of North Carolina says you have to know. If you go to college, you need to know. If you go to college, you need to know. To survive in the real world, you need to know how to persuade others to get your way. To survive in the real world, you need to know how to persuade others to get your way.

3. Where Do I Begin? You need to start with a topic. For this class, I will probably assign one for you. You need to start with a topic. For this class, I will probably assign one for you. You then need to decide on the Main Idea. You then need to decide on the Main Idea. The Main Idea is the theme or central idea of your persuasive essay. It should be stated in the first sentence or paragraph of your essay. The Main Idea is the theme or central idea of your persuasive essay. It should be stated in the first sentence or paragraph of your essay.

3. Where Do I Begin? Once you have the Main Idea you need to have some support Once you have the Main Idea you need to have some support This support comes in the form of Major Details. This support comes in the form of Major Details. Major Details consist of facts, opinions, and details. Major Details consist of facts, opinions, and details. You should have three Major Details. REMEMBER THIS!!!! You should have three Major Details. REMEMBER THIS!!!!

4. Structure (Layout and Design) Your essay will be FIVE paragraphs: one paragraph is the introduction, three for the major details, and one for a conclusion. Your essay will be FIVE paragraphs: one paragraph is the introduction, three for the major details, and one for a conclusion. INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION BODY (MAJOR DETAILS) BODY (MAJOR DETAILS) CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

5. Introduction The introduction will contain the Main Idea. The introduction will contain the Main Idea. The introduction should also introduce the three Major Details. The introduction should also introduce the three Major Details.

6. Body (3 paragraphs) You should have three paragraphs in the body, one for each Major Detail You should have three paragraphs in the body, one for each Major Detail If your details need to be in Proper Sequence, DO SO! If your details need to be in Proper Sequence, DO SO!

7. Conclusion The Conclusion should reaffirm the Main Idea. (Restate the Main Idea) The Conclusion should reaffirm the Main Idea. (Restate the Main Idea)

8. Let’s Practice I will now give you a topic and you will write a rough draft I will now give you a topic and you will write a rough draft Your topic is: Why Mr. Sutherland does not need to call and discuss your grade with your parent(s) before Spring Break. Your topic is: Why Mr. Sutherland does not need to call and discuss your grade with your parent(s) before Spring Break. If your grade is good, discuss that. Remember to have 3 major details: facts and/or opinions If your grade is good, discuss that. Remember to have 3 major details: facts and/or opinions If your grade is not good, a D or an F, you had better tell me something good, such as how you will be at my Learning Center on Thursday to make up any missing tests, projects, quizzes, or any other missing work. If your grade is not good, a D or an F, you had better tell me something good, such as how you will be at my Learning Center on Thursday to make up any missing tests, projects, quizzes, or any other missing work.

9. Good Luck!! Your paper had better be convincing, or else I am going to be making a phone call. Good luck! Your paper had better be convincing, or else I am going to be making a phone call. Good luck! Topic: Why doesn’t Mr. Sutherland need to call and discuss my grade with my parent(s). Topic: Why doesn’t Mr. Sutherland need to call and discuss my grade with my parent(s).